History of the World: Part I

Beforehand, it was agreed that Orson Welles would receive $5,000 per day in exchange for his services. Figuring that he'd have to spend five eight-hour days recording and re-recording these lines with Welles, Mel Brooks paid him $25,000 up front. But by noon on the first day, Welles had recorded his lines to perfection. "Oh, my god, I could've paid you $5,000", Brooks lamented. After kicking himself for a few minutes, the funnyman asked Welles how he planned to spend the bounty. "Cuban cigars and Sevruga caviar", Welles replied.

In the beginning of the Roman Empire Segment, one of the running jokes was the use of a V in place of a U. It seems that great care was taken to do this on every sign. Except the Annual Orgy sign which has two Us on it that were not changed to Vs. U's are also visible on the "Equal Opportunity Employer" sign at the Unemployment Office.

VESTAL VIRGINS Portrayed by Playboy Playmates and Models

The German TV version is missing the "Hitler on Ice" segment during the finale. Also, there is a small bit missing in the stone age segment, showing the invention of art (wall painting), and the first critic taking a leak on the masterpiece.

Edited from The Vikings (1958)